Gaming Machine Permits

The Gambling Commission provides information on the categories of gaming machine which may be made available in premises with gambling permits.

Pubs and alcohol-licensed premises – notifications and permits

If your premises is licensed to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises under the Licensing Act 2003, you are automatically entitled to two Category C or D gaming machines. Premises restricted to selling alcohol only with food are not eligible. You must notify us before installing the gaming machines.

If you wish to have more than 2 machines you can apply for a gaming machine permit. Applications must be made by the holder of the premises licence. Applications for 5 or more machines are referred to the Licensing Sub-Committee for determination.

Gaming machines must be supplied and maintained by a licensed supplier, and the premises must follow the Gambling Commission's Code of Practice for clubs and licensed premises.

• Notify us of your intent to have gaming machines
• Apply for a gaming machine permit

Licensed premises gaming machine permits are of unlimited duration but lapse if the holder ceases to hold a premises licence, or the alcohol licence lapses. Permits may be transferred and varied.

There is an annual fee payable for all licensed premises gaming machine permits. The first fee is due 30 days after the permit is granted and then on the anniversary of its grant. Permits may be revoked if the annual fee is not paid.

Other gaming in alcohol-licensed premises

Other equal chance gaming is allowed in alcohol licensed premises (excluding clubs). This includes poker, cribbage, dominoes, bingo and other gaming. Where there are limits on the stakes and prizes, these are shown below:

• Poker – Stake £100 per premises per day / Prize £100 per game
• Bingo – Stake £2,000 per week without an operating licence / Prize £2,000 per week without an operating licence
• Other gaming – Stake £5 per person per game / Prize unlimited

Club gaming and machine permits

Clubs wishing to provide gaming machines or higher-value gaming for members can apply for one of two types of permit:

• Club machine permits allow any club, including commercial clubs, to provide up to three gaming machines for use by members only. Apply for a club machine permit (CMP)
• Club gaming permits allow up to three gaming machines and prize gaming for members, without limits on stakes and prizes. They are not available to commercial clubs. Apply for a club gaming permit (CGP)

Clubs must meet the following criteria to apply:

• have at least 25 permanent, individual members
• not be established only to operate for a limited period
• not be established or conducted wholly or mainly to provide gambling facilities (except bridge and whist clubs)

In addition, members' clubs applying for club gaming permits must be established and conducted for the benefit of their members and not run as a commercial enterprise.

Club Gaming and Club Machine permits are valid for 10 years (unless issued under the fast-track procedure when they are of unlimited duration). An application to renew the permit must be made between 6 and 12 weeks before it expires. Permits are not transferable.

There is an annual fee payable for all club permits. The first fee is due 30 days after the permit is granted and then on the anniversary of its grant. Permits may be revoked if the annual fee is not paid.

Family entertainment centre gaming machine permits

If you wish to operate a family entertainment centre, you must obtain a permit from us. This allows you to make low-value (Category D) gaming machines available for use by the public, including children.

If you wish to offer higher-value machines, you can obtain a premises licence for a family entertainment centre. To apply for a premises licence you will need to hold an operating licence with the Gambling Commission.

Apply for a family entertainment centre gaming permit

Permits are valid for 10 years. An application to renew the permit may be made two to six months before it expires.

Permits are not transferable and will lapse if the holder ceases to occupy the premises or if the main use of the premises changes to something other than a family entertainment centre.

Prize gaming permits

If you wish to offer prize gaming (poker, dominoes, bingo, and other games played for prizes) and do not hold an alcohol licence, you will need to hold a prize gaming permit.

Any prize gaming run under a permit must meet the following conditions:

• cannot be issued in respect of vehicles or vessels
• must take place entirely on a single day, and cannot be linked to games at other locations
• the result must be announced at the venue on the same day
• the maximum participation fee per chance is 50p, and total participation fees cannot exceed £500
• the maximum value of a single cash prize cannot exceed £35, and the total value of prizes cannot exceed £500

You must be over 18 and the occupier of the premises where the gaming will take place to apply.

Apply for a prize gaming permit

Prize gaming permits are valid for 10 years. An application to renew may be made two to six months before it expires. Permits are not transferable and will lapse if the holder ceases to occupy the premises. Any new occupier must apply for a new permit.